Australia's Science Forum

My Science coordinator is looking for a replacement during my sick days or days when I am on inservice. This is not on a regular basis, just when I am away on certain days. If anyone is interested, please send her an email:

chiquita.mathieu@mmcwakeley.catholic.edu.au

Our school is Mary MacKillop College and the address is:Canarvon St., Wakeley. My work time is 8:30-3:30 (M-F)

Cheers,
Ana

How lucky are you, Ana. I had to have two days off sick a couple of weeks ago and the HT was panicking if I was going to make it three! Fortunately for everyone, I dragged my flu-filled body off my death bed and came back to work. When I approached the heirarchy about finding a casual who could replace me - even on a very basic level, just pulling out equipment and tidying up, no chemical dilutions etc, I was told that casuals were in short supply but "they would think about it" - think that means "no". Strange though, how admin positions and even the TAS assistant gets replaced when they are off sick

Hi Merilyn,
I usually do not get sick really (thank God) and ifever I do I only take a day off . Even if I do not feel 100% I try to go back to work as i only have 10-12 sick days for the whole year. It's just that this June, I will be away for 5 days (3June, 8 June and 29&30June, 1 july)for some reasons. I've worked in this school for 4 years now. They used to get a casual from the admin office to replace me, but now, with my new coordinator , she prefers to have someone with lab experience, otherwise she finds it useless taking someone who wouldn't be able to perform our tasks. I think the school has budget for our casual replacement but they use it for the admin stuff?

Cheers,
Ana

Good luck finding anyone, do let us know if their is some one out their with lab experence, or at least a little training. I have money on NO one, but I could be wrong.

I agree. We posted add 2 times. Only 2 had some limited experience at school. Many teachers from Fiji applied though.They can not work as a teachers here and next best thing is lab tech job

Why can't they work as teachers, we have have 3 in our school.

Hi Ana, if you have a TAFE close by give them a call
cheers
Lisa

Do not know, maybe language, accent, cannot pass registration, visa or who knows.

I agree with everyone, our work is unique and specialised so not just anyone can do it. This should justify that we get higher pay than usual! I can have someone with limited experience and i'm willing to teach her/him.

Ana

There standards in teaching, so I believe and they have to wait while it is checked out, some need to re train others need to do updates etc, before they can teacher in Australia. We have two fiji teachers here, they do not have a currulum to follow at all over in Fiji, so their style of teaching is so very different to ours.

I was only told this this year.

a uni science student is another option - even if they couldn't do it full time, a few hours so it is not a complete mess when you come back would be good.

kathryn

Every time I train someone they end up with a full time job.
I will be in the same place at the end of next year when I go on long service leave for 12 mths
So if you find someone maybe a name would be good

oh Lurra - where would I be without you - your training and your referee??

Hi Ana reading your email,
I can only do a couple of your days , better than none! interested ?I have done lab skills cert 3 at tafe and some casual lab assistant work in det schools.
Hope that helps. sent email to your science co ordinator.see how that goes, heh
regards

I

Hi all
would anyone like to do my job for a term.
At this stage I'm thinking Term 4 next year, if I can hang out that long
Term 4 is easy as the school is only Yr's 11 & 12 (1000 students) but 12 finished
It's in Newcastle NSW
I have to have a knee replacement

Which school in Newcastle Grahame?

St Francis Xaviers Hamilton

I wish I could get a little help sometimes. I am the only labbie here, Im 4 days a week (Get Wednesdays off) and If i am not here no one replaces me. My boss knows the labs so if someone needs anything, he has a pretty good idea.

Last term i got violently sick with some sort of bird flu, I was sick for over 5 weeks, I think I had about 3 days off in total and went to work most days feeling like i was going to faint. When I wasnt here for 3 days, teachers started pannicking. I also work in a pharmacy so its only a matter of time before i get sick!!

RE: Casual staff

A Uni student would be perfect, especially if they are studying science or medicine.

I am part time and don't really want to increase my hours too much but can't manage everything we need to do in the time I have. So I have asked for some help next year from one of the teacher aides. My plan is to use them for less technical stuff, cleaning labs, washing lab coats and tea towels, shopping etc. But I am also hoping to get them familiar with the prep rooms and the set up so that if I am off sick someone else would be able to do at least some of my job. It's not the same as having a replacement but I am hoping it will help a little.

Hi again!!
I did post a question before,but looks like you didn't receive it.
So I will ask the question again.What is the name of your school?
Cheers
Mother